March 5, 2006 at 09:51:52

The Bodies Under The Floor

SAVE AS FAVORITE

VIEW FAVORITES

By Jim Bush (about the author) Page 3 of 4 page(s)

opednews.com Permalink

Such accusations
Of such crimes
It's too much to bear!

I look for excuses

"Democracy!" I scream
"The peace and utility of Rome!" I holler
"The art and invention of Europe!" I entreat
"Manifest Destiny!" I bellow
"Self-defense!" I argue
"God's gift to use!" I exclaim
"Pax Americana! I cry

Their milky white eyes
Silently stare at me...

From under the floorboards
Just beneath my feet

"Will you not speak?" I ask
"Will you not tell me what I can do?"
" Will you not tell me how I can end your torment and mine?"

Slowly, their voices rise, as one, again

"There are ways" they whisper
"There are ways to put us all to peaceful sleep"
"There are ways to heal the wounds past and present"
"There are ways to prevent future torment and pain"
"There are ways to remove us forever...

From beneath your feet
And your nightmares"

"How, dead souls?" I ask
"How can I end this nightmare?"

"Redemption!" they reply
"Transformation!" they chant
"Surrender" they pray
"Peace" they whisper
"Compassion" they assert

"Be a leader of your people"
"Be a true promoter of freedom"
"Be a real expression of peace"
"Be the embodiment of courage"
"Be a warrior of love"

"Do it now!"
"Do it now!"
"Do it now!"
"Do it n...

At this, a beam of sunlight
Crossed the room
And landed on my eyes

My nightmare
Turned into waking

Slowly, I looked around my room

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Jim Bush is a 61 year old, Vietnam-era veteran, currently living in Katy,Texas. He was raised in a military family. His father received the Silver Star for directing troops while under air attack at Clark Field in the Phillipines, survived the (more...)

The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.

Contact Author

Contact Editor

View Authors' Articles

Book Recommendations for "Poetry"

The Best American Poetry 2009: Series Editor David Lehman

$16.00
Lowest New Price $9.21
Number of pages: 240
Publisher: Scribner

Visual Poetry: A Creative Guide for Making Engaging Digital Photographs
by Chris Orwig

$44.99
Lowest New Price $25.55
Number of pages: 312
Publisher: New Riders Press

101 Great American Poems (Dover Thrift Editions)
by Edgar Allan Poe

$1.50
Lowest New Price $0.01
Number of pages: 96
Publisher: Dover Publications